Keeneland’s upcoming Saturday renewal of the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity serves as both a launching pad for next year’s Triple Crown series and a crucial stepping stone toward championship honors. Ted Noffey, who took home the trophy in this event last year, parlayed his triumph into a victory in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA at Del Mar, securing an Eclipse Award in the process. With the Breeders’ Cup scheduled to take place at Keeneland this season, this storied 1 1/16-mile race for two-year-olds carries an elevated level of importance.
Although the legendary first Saturday in May remains seven months in the distance, this inaugural Grade 1 contest for juvenile runners in the Bluegrass State makes it the perfect moment to begin dreaming of Derby glory. Half a dozen talented young prospects are slated to compete this Saturday, fighting for a fully-funded entry into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on October 30, along with critical qualification points for the 2027 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Fans can catch the Breeders’ Futurity live on both NBC and FanDuel TV.
1. Coach Pope: This son of Tapit, conditioned by Kenny McPeek, delivered an outstanding second-place effort at Saratoga when finishing right between the highly touted duo of Gaudreau and U. S. S. Valor, before successfully routing at Churchill Downs in his most recent outing. A dominant 12 ½-length maiden romp over a one-mile distance suggests he could command favoritism on Saturday. Given his pedigree, tackling a two-turn layout should suit him perfectly, making him a major contender.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Kenny McPeek
2. Q B Rocket: Acquired for a hefty $1.9 million as a yearling last autumn at Keeneland, this Gun Runner offspring immediately justified his hefty price tag with an impressive first-out victory at Saratoga. He secured that seemingly effortless win over a six-furlong distance, and the horse who finished behind him has already returned to win. Built to handle the longer distance he encounters on Saturday, he appears primed for another top-tier performance under the guidance of Brad Cox. He represents the selection to win.
JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Brad Cox
3. Phone Booth: As the sole entrant in the lineup with previous graded stakes exposure, this Pavel colt might get overlooked in favor of some flashier rivals. Dismissing him could be a miscalculation, however, as he put together three competitive efforts at Del Mar, falling short only to the highly respected Hughes in his most recent pair of starts. Boasting sufficient early speed to secure a good position, valuable experience, and a pedigree that suggests he can handle stretching out to two turns, he is a major player.
JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill
4. Title Worthy: Under the care of trainer Dallas Stewart, this grey Title Ready colt has remained undefeated through his first two career outings. In both of those performances, he displayed sharp early speed over wet, sloppy tracks at Ellis Park and Churchill Downs. Saturday presents a significant challenge as he steps up to face tougher competition and a longer route. Purchased for a modest $30,000 as a yearling, he will need a career-best performance to match strides with this group.
JOCKEY: Gerardo Corrales; TRAINER: Dallas Stewart
5. Jaded: Sired by the exciting freshman stallion Olympiad, this colt pocketed a handsome prize by closing late to capture his debut over the grass course at Kentucky Downs. While it remains to be seen how that turf form carries over to this challenging dirt spot, his late surge was highly eye-catching. He has been training sharply in preparation for his first dirt appearance, and his bloodlines indicate he could actually find even greater success on the main track. He looms as an intriguing dark horse candidate on Saturday.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Mark Casse
6. American History: Mirroring Q B Rocket, this son of Constitution commanded a hefty price at auction and quickly flashed immense talent in a stellar debut score at Saratoga this summer. That initial victory came over a 6 ½-furlong trip, where he closed strongly to secure a comfortable win six weeks back. Even though the two runners drawn inside look most formidable, the ceiling for this WinStar Farm runner remains incredibly high. He is absolutely a threat to walk away with the victory.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
THE SELECTION: Q B Rocket
LIVE SLEEPER: Phone Booth
SUPERFECTA: 2-1-6-3
